Torrential Rain and Floods Mire Parts of New York City

Torrential rain brought major New York City thoroughfares to a brief halt on Sunday evening as flash flooding overtook parts of Queens and Staten Island.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning just after 5 p.m., and the storm subsided shortly before 10 p.m., leaving more than five inches of rain. Some roadways were closed for about two hours. Weather advisories remained in effect until Monday morning, and scattered showers were forecast for the first half of the coming week.

Nancy Silvestri, a spokeswoman for the city’s Office of Emergency Management, said those traveling into the city on Monday should not expect delays.

At the height of the storm, the Long Island Expressway was closed to traffic in both directions in Fresh Meadows, Queens. By 8 p.m., the Utopia Parkway, the Cross Island Expressway and the Jackie Robinson Parkway were mired by standstill traffic for several miles because of flooding, city officials said. The police were helping to cordon off roadways and to retrieve stranded motorists.

Jim Long, a spokesman for the Fire Department, said there were many affected locations. “The rain that came through was very hard, and the duration was extensive enough that it caused a lot of flash floods,” he said.

Consolidated Edison reported more than 50 power failures throughout the city, with more than 2,300 residents affected.

Service to the Staten Island Railway resumed with delays after an hourslong suspension between Tottenville and Eltingville.

“The worst of the storm has probably passed,” Ms. Silvestri said. “The wave should be on its way out of the city now.”

The Federal Aviation Administration said flights into Newark Liberty International, Kennedy International and La Guardia Airports were disrupted during the storm, and residual delays continued Sunday night.

Beyond the city, flooding was reported throughout northeastern New Jersey, particularly in Hoboken and Newark. About 10,000 homes and business had power disruptions, local authorities said.